Closure capsule for closing bottles

ABSTRACT

A closure capsule for closing a container, comprising: a lateral portion ( 2 ), having a substantially cylindrical shape; a transversal wall ( 3 ), connected to an end of the lateral portion ( 2 ); a first seal lip ( 4 ), having a substantially cylindrical shape, concentric to the lateral portion ( 2 ) and projecting below the transversal wall ( 3 ); the second seal lip ( 5 ), concentric to the lateral portion ( 2 ) and projecting below the transversal wall ( 3 ), the second seal lip ( 5 ) being interposed between the lateral portion ( 2 ) and the first seal lip ( 4 ); characterised in that it comprises a plurality of ribs ( 6 ) which are interposed between the second seal lip ( 5 ) and the lateral portion ( 2 ) and connect the second seal lip ( 5 ) with the lateral portion ( 2 ).

The present invention relates to a closure capsule for closing bottles. Various types of closure capsule for closing bottles, substantially cylindrical in shape, are known, which are provided with a transversal wall and a lateral portion. The lateral portion is predisposed for coupling to the neck of the bottle, typically by means of a thread. The transversal wall is instead destined to face the opening delimited by the neck of the bottle. The transversal wall is generally provided at the bottom with a seal lip, having an overall cylindrical shape, structured for partly entering into the neck of the bottle and realising a substantially hermetic seal.

There also exist capsules provided with a second closing lip, which extends below the transversal wall parallel to the first seal lip, The two seal lips are mutually concentric, the first being located in a more internal position and the second being located in a more external position, i.e., between the first seal lip and the lateral portion. In capsules provided with two seal lips the upper portion of the neck of the bottle inserts between the two lips when the capsule is applied in the closed position to the container.

For reasons of dimensions, the second seal lip is located relatively close to the lateral portion of the capsule and must be realised with a limited thickness. For this reason the second seal lip is poorly rigid and tends to deform in an undesired way.

A further zone having an often not-sufficient rigidity is located in the breather grooves with which the closure capsules can be provided. The grooves are fashioned on the internal face of the lateral portion of the capsule, interrupting the thread, and extend along a parallel direction to the rotation axis of the capsule. The function of the described grooves is to enable, on the unscrewing of the capsule from the closed position, an at least partial venting of any pressurised gases accumulated within the bottle. At the breather grooves, the lateral portion of the capsule has a rather limited thickness and thus is relatively weak and deformable.

Some types of capsules are provided, below the transversal wall, with a seal gasket. The seal gasket has a substantially discoidal shape and is directly moulded in the capsule in contact with the transversal wall. The seal gasket can be generally provided at the bottom with a seal lip, structured for partly inserting into the neck of the bottle and realising a substantially hermetic seal.

The upper edge zone of the capsule, i.e. the zone in which the lateral portion joins the transversal wall, has a consistent thickness, so as to provide a sufficient rigidity for the moulding process of the seal gasket. This zone therefore requires an increase in the material necessary for the production of the capsule. Further, the considerable thickness of the upper edge zone complicates the production process of the capsule.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a closure capsule for bottles which enables obviating the drawbacks of the capsules at present available.

An advantage of the invention is to enable a significant reduction in the thickness of the upper edge zone of the capsule, while maintaining the necessary rigidity for moulding the seal gasket.

Characteristics and advantages of the capsule according to the invention will more fully emerge from the following detailed description of an embodiment of said invention, as illustrated in a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a first view of a first embodiment of the closing capsule of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view of the capsule along plane II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the capsule along plane III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the capsule of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the capsule along plane V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the capsule along plane VI-VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a third embodiment of the capsule of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the capsule along plane A-A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows the capsule of the invention in section view along plane I-I of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 is a view from above of the capsule of the invention.

The closure capsule of the invention comprises a lateral portion (2) having a substantially cylindrical shape, a transversal wall (3) being connected to an end of the lateral portion (2). Overall the closure has a cup-shaped conformation, defined by the lateral portion (2) and the transversal wall (3), both concentric to a central axis (X).

A first seal lip (4), having a substantially cylindrical shape projects below the transversal wall (3), concentric to the lateral portion (2). The capsule further comprises a second seal lip (5), concentric to the lateral portion (2) and projecting below the transversal wall (3). The second seal lip (5) is interposed between the lateral portion (2) and the first seal lip (4).

The first and the second lip (4, 5) are structured and positioned so as to tightly house the upper edge of the neck of the container to which the capsule is destined to be applied. For example, in order to enable the coupling with the neck of the container the lateral portion (2) is provided with an internal thread.

The capsule of the invention comprises a plurality of ribs (6) which are interposed between the second seal lip (5) and the lateral portion (2) and connect the second seal lip (5) with the lateral portion (2).

The ribs (6) enable a stiffening of the second seal lip (5), improving the coupling with the neck of the container.

As visible in FIG. 3, the ribs (6) can be orientated on non-radial planes with respect to the central axis (X), or, in an embodiment that is not illustrated, they can be orientated on radial planes

with respect to the central axis (X).

The ribs (6) preferably have a height, i.e. a dimension measured parallel to the central axis (X), equal to or smaller than the height of the second seal lip (5).

In a second embodiment, illustrated in figures from 4 to 6, the capsule of the invention comprises a plurality of grooves (7) fashioned on an internal face of the lateral portion (2) and arranged parallel to the central axis (X) of the lateral portion (2). The grooves (7) have the function of enabling at least partial venting of the gases that may be contained within the bottle or container to which the capsule is applied, during the unscrewing of the capsule. The grooves (7) are preferably aligned radially with zones of greater thickness of the lateral portion (2).

A plurality of ribs (8) are arranged within the grooves (7) transversally to the central axis of the lateral portion (2). The ribs (8) enable stiffening and strengthening the bottom wall of the grooves (7), a zone in which the thickness of the lateral portion (2) is smaller.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral portion (2) comprises an internal thread which is interrupted at each groove (7). As is visible in FIG. 5, the ribs (8) are aligned with the internal thread, i.e. they carry on with the extension of the internal thread. The ribs (8) can be located within the grooves (7), so that the internal thread has in any case some interruptions at the grooves (7), or can be continuous with respect to the internal thread, so that the internal thread substantially has a continuous extension that is free of interruptions. The ribs (8) can be located within the grooves (7), so that the internal thread has in any case some interruptions at the grooves (7), or can be continuous with respect to the internal thread, so that the internal thread substantially has a continuous extension that is free of interruptions.

In the embodiment of figures from 4 to 6 the capsule might be without the ribs (6) and/or the second seal lip (5).

In a further variant, the closing capsule of the invention comprises cup-shaped seal element (12), associated to the transversal wall (2) and projecting below the transversal wall (3) concentrically to the lateral portion (2).

The seal element (12) is made of a gas-impermeable material.

The seal element (12) can alternatively be made of polymers with barrier properties to water vapour (for example polypropylene, polyethylene), polymers with barrier properties to oxygen, carbon dioxide or other volatile compounds (for example PET, PBT, PEF, PLA, PEN). The seal element (12) is realised by compression or by injection.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the seal element is cup-shaped and projects below the transversal wall (3). In the illustrated embodiment the seal element (12) has a circular rib (13), concentric to the central axis (X) and projecting towards the central axis (X). The circular rib (13) makes the seal element (12) more rigid and obstructs any eventual deformations due to the internal pressure of the container to which the capsule is applied.

The seal element (12) can be realised in various shapes and configurations, one of which can be the one represented in FIGS. 7 and 8. Other possible embodiments of the seal elements (12) are illustrated, for example, in patent publications: U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,124, U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,427, U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,470, U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,510, U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,333, U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,004, U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,504, U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,428, U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,788, U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,163, U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,097, EP0636550, EP0261047.

As is easily deducible from FIG. 8, the seal element (12) is destined to at least partly insert within the neck of the container or bottle to which the capsule is applied, and to tightly contact the internal surface of the neck. The capsule provided with the seal element (12) can be made without both seal lips (4, 5).

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the closure capsule (1) of the invention comprises a lateral portion (2), having a cylindrical shape and concentric to a longitudinal axis (X); In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral portion (2) is provided within with a thread, predisposed so as to couple to a thread arranged on the neck of the container it is destined to close. Other coupling means might however be adopted in place of the thread.

A transversal wall (3) is associated to an end of the lateral portion (2) at a junction zone (4). The transversal wall (3) is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X) and closes the lateral portion (2) at an end thereof. In a common way, the capsule (1) has overall a cup-shaped conformation.

The junction zone (4) is arranged substantially at an end edge of the lateral portion (2) and the transversal wall (3). The junction zone (4) substantially defines the transition between the lateral portion (2) and the transversal wall (3), which are realised in a single piece.

A plurality of ribs (5) are associated to the lateral portion (2). The plurality of ribs (5) project externally from the surface of the lateral portion (2) and are orientated parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).

The ribs (5) advantageously also extend to the junction zone (4). Since the ribs significantly strengthen the zones in which they are arranged, it is possible to considerably reduce the thickness (4 s) of the junction zone (4), without the junction zone (4) substantially losing rigidity. Even with the thickness (4 s) made slimmer with respect to the capsules of known type, the junction zone (4) is sufficiently rigid to enable moulding of a seal gasket (6).

The ribs (5) preferably extend over the entire thickness (3 s) of the transversal wall (3).

In the illustrated embodiment, the transversal wall (3) is substantially tangential to an end plane (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X). The ribs (5), at an end thereof, are tangential to the end plane (T). This enables significantly increasing the rigidity of the junction zone (4), including in the presence of a particularly reduced thickness (4 s).

The capsule can be provided with a seal gasket (6), applied to the transversal wall (3) within the lateral portion (2). The seal gasket (6) is destined to be positioned in contact with the end of the neck of the bottle or container to be closed. In particular, when the capsule is applied in a closed position, the seal gasket (6) is compressed between the transversal wall (3) and the end of the neck of the bottle. The seal gasket (6) advantageously has a projecting seal lip (61). The seal lip (61) is structured for partly entering into the neck of the bottle, coming into contact with the neck of the bottle so as to realise a substantially hermetic seal.

The capsule of the invention provides important advantages. The extension of the ribs (5) on the junction zone (4) enables considerably stiffening the junction zone. In this way it is possible to significantly reduce the thickness (4 s) of the junction zone (4), realising a considerable saving of material. Further, the reduction of the thickness (4 s) of the junction zone (4) facilitates the production cycle of the capsule. 

1. A closure capsule for closing a container, comprising: a lateral portion (2), having a substantially cylindrical shape; a transversal wall (3), connected to an end of the lateral portion (2); a first seal lip (4), having a substantially cylindrical shape, concentric to the lateral portion (2) and projecting below the transversal wall (3); a second seal lip (5), concentric to the lateral portion (2) and projecting below the transversal wall (3), the second seal lip (5) being interposed between the lateral portion (2) and the first seal lip (4); characterised in that it comprises a plurality of ribs (6) which are interposed between the second seal lip (5) and the lateral portion (2) and connect the second seal lip (5) with the lateral portion (2).
 2. A closure capsule for closing a container, comprising: a lateral portion (2) having a substantially cylindrical shape; a transversal wall (3), connected to an end of the lateral portion (2); a first seal lip (4), having a substantially cylindrical shape, concentric to the lateral portion (2) and projecting below the transversal wall (3); a plurality of grooves (7) fashioned on an internal face of the lateral portion (2) and arranged parallel to a central axis of the lateral portion (2); characterised in that it comprises a plurality of ribs (8) arranged within the grooves (7) transversally to the central axis of the lateral portion (2).
 3. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein the lateral portion (2) comprises an internal thread which is interrupted at each groove (7), wherein the ribs (8) are aligned with the internal thread.
 4. A closure capsule for closing a container, comprising: a lateral portion (2), having a substantially cylindrical shape; a transversal wall (3), connected to an end of the lateral portion (2); characterised in that it comprises a cup-shaped seal element (12), associated to the transversal wall (3) and projecting below the transversal wall (3) concentrically to the lateral portion (2), the seal element (12) being made of a gas-impermeable material.
 5. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the seal element (12) is alternatively made of: polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, PBT, PEF, PLA, PEE.
 6. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the seal element (12) is realised by compression or by injection.
 7. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the seal element (12) comprises a circular rib (13).
 8. A closure capsule for bottles or containers, comprising: a lateral portion (2), having a cylindrical shape and a longitudinal axis (X); a transversal wall (3), associated to an end of the lateral portion (2) at a junction zone (4); a plurality of ribs (5), which project externally from the surface of the lateral portion (2) and are orientated parallel to the longitudinal axis (X); characterised in that the ribs (5) also extend to the junction zone (4).
 9. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein the ribs (5) extend over the entire thickness of the transversal wall (3).
 10. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein the transversal wall (3) is substantially tangential to an end plane (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the ribs (5), at an end thereof, are tangential to the end plane (T).
 11. The capsule according to claim 8, comprising a seal gasket (6), applied to the transversal wall (3) within of the lateral portion (2).
 12. The capsule according to claim 11, wherein the seal gasket (6) has a projecting seal lip (61). 